Automatic facsimile system



Nov. 2, 1943. e. H. mamas ETAL 2,333,272

AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE SYSTEM Filed D90. 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG I MESSAGE oz osn acme MESSAGE MESSAGE TRANSMITTED ACCEPTED RECTIF'ER AMPLIFIER QNVENTORS G. H. FHDJ'NGS R.J. Wi-SE Nov. 2, 1943. G. H. RIDINGS ET'AL AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE SYSTEM Filed Dec. 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6; FIG. 2

INVERTER MESSAGE RECEIVED S S R m 015 E E RW 4 V I N H r a. Q A v B 1943. G. H. RIDINGS ETAL 2,333,272

AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE SYSTEM Filid D00. 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3' G. 3 [H'lll l I! 27 TELEG RAM FIG. 4 H810 I --'-242 2 -INVENTORS GI-LRIDINGS R.J.WISE ,4 4/ /4 AoRN Patented Nov. 2, 1943 2,333,272 AUTOMATIC FACSIMILE SYSTEM Garvice H. Ridings, Summit, and Raleigh J.

Wise,

Dunellen, N. J., assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 19, 1940, Serial No. 370,748.

18 Claims.

This invention relates to facsimile telegraph systems and has particular reference to a control system whereby automatic terminal apparatus may be operated.

In a copending application of R. J. Wise and G. H. Ridings, Serial No. 269,314, filed April 22, 1939, patented November 11, 1941, No. 2,262,715, and entitled System and apparatus for automatic facsimile telegraphy," there is disclosed a facsimile machine suitable for use as a transmitter. A conveying chute is provided for guiding the message blank so that it maybe positioned in the machine for scanning. The facsimile signals which are generated by the scanning operation are transmitted to a central station where they are employed to reproduce the subject matter in a recording machine. In this copending application the various functions of the transmitter are controlled remotely by an attendant at the central station. This transmitting apparatus is provided with means for gripping and wrapping the message blank around a rotating drum. After the scanning operation, the attendant at the central station manipulates a control switch which actuates mechanism at the transmitter for removing the message blank from the rotating drum and-depositing it in a storage bin.

In another copending application of R. J. Wise et 9.1., Serial No. 110,760, filed November 13, 1936, patented September 16, 1941, No. 2,555,868, and entitled System and apparatus for facsimile telegraphy," there is disclosed a facsimile machine which is provided with facilities for automatic operation. The recording blanks are mounted upon cylindrical copyholders which are adapted to be inserted in the recording apparatus one at a time. The copyholder bearing the recording sheet is rotated and scanned in a direction parallel to the axis thereof by a stylus member which bears upon the recording sheet and has impressed thereon electrical potentials representative of the picture elements. The machine disclosed in this application is provided with a mechanism for removing a copyholder from an operative position in the machine and for replacing it with another copyholder bearing a,

blank recording sheet. Means are also provided for storing a plurality of copyholders bearing blank recording sheets in a magazine from which they may be fed in succession to the facsimile machine. The apparatus disclosed in the copending application, Serial No. 110,760, is suitable for use either as a transmitter or as a recorder, but for the purposes of the instant apr plication only the considered.

The facsimile system which forms the novel subject matter of the present application is employed to interconnect a transmitter of the type disclosed in the copending application, Serial No. 269,314,-and a recorder of the type disclosed in the copending application, Serial No. 110,760. It is one of the objects of the instant invention recording elements will be to provide an interconnection between an automatic facsimile transmitter of the slot loading typeand an automaticf facsimile recorder of the drum changing type whereby certain of the functions of each facsimile. machine may be automatically controlled-by operations occurring at the other machine. I

Another object of the/invention is to provide means for conditioning fan automatic facsimile transmitter to receive a sheet bearing subject matter to be transmitted only when the recording apparatus is in operative condition to re ceive and record facsimile signals.

A further object of; the invention is to provide means for 'operatin'g the sheet removing mechanism at the transmitter under the contr'ol of the recording apparatus.

Still another, object of the invention is to provide a novel means for controlling the generation of an end-of-message signal whereby a more economical use of the line time may be made.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for timing the generation of an end-of-message signal by preselecting one of a plurality of fixed electrical contacts for operation by a movable scanning member.

Another object of the invention is to time the generation of an end-of-message signal by positioning a contact to be actuated by a movable scanning member immediately following the completion of the scanning operation.

The means for attaining the aforementioned objects, together with other more specific objects, will become apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

.Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of 'an automatic facsimile transmitter of the slot loading type, together with control apparatus and the circuits therefor;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an automatic facsimile recorder of the drum changing type, together with the control apparatus and circuits therefor;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of alternative recorder.

The present facsimile system is designed to be installed between a central telegraph oflice and a remote branch office or agency which has sufficient business with the central station to warrant the installation of an exclusive circuit. In this case an automatic facsimile transmitter of the slot loading type is installed in the branch otllce or agency and connected to one terminal of a circuit, the other terminal of which is in the central station and is connected permanently to an automatic facsimile recorder of the drum changing type. Such a system requires a minimum of attention by operators at the two stations and, when the apparatus is. equipped with a timing device to control the end-of-message signal so that valuable line time is not utilized for the scanning of blank portions of the message sheets, a large number of messages may be transmitted in a minimum of time.

The automatic transmitter located. atthe branch ofllce is provided with a plurality of signs which may be selectively illuminated to give an indication of the performance of the machine. The machine ishoused in a casing in which a slot is provided which is in communication'with a chute leading to the scanning mechanism. The chute may be opened or closed at various times during the operation of the machine so as to either permit the insertion of a message blank or prevent such an operation. Controlling devices are provided whereby an attendant may supervise the operation of thetransmitter or if desired, may arrange for the full automatic operation thereof under the joint control of the transmitter scanning apparatus and the recording apparatus. Thus. at the branch once the desired message is written on a specially prepared blank which is inserted in the conveying chute at the proper time and is seized by the transmitting mechanism and placed in position for scanning, which operation follows immediately. The facsimile signals which are generated by the scanning operation are transmitted to the central station at which they are applied to a recorder which is at all times prepared to operate. The operation of the recorder is also automatic and the attendant at that station has only to keep themachine supplied with copyholders bearing blank recording sheets and to remove the sheets upon which recordings have been made from the copyholders which are automatically discharged from the Transmitter The invention will be better understood by referring to Figs. 1 and 2. The transmitting apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a copyholder II which is mounted for rotation in suitable bearings and is in the form of a cylinder. The copyholder has adjacent one end thereof a plurality of teeth l2 arranged circumferentially and extending outward from the surface of the cylinder. A pressure roller I3 is suitably journaled and bears against the surface of the copyholder i i. The roller i3 is provided with a groove ll which is of suitable dimensions to permit the free entry therein of the gripping teeth l2. A chute or guideway I! is located so that the lower opening thereof is adjacent to the surface of the copyholder H at the point where the roller ll is in contact therewith. The upper end of the chute I5 is flared to form a lip It so as to permit the easy insertion of a flexible message sheet. An angular slide I! or shutter is disposed at the mouth of the chute IS in such a manner that it normally blocks the chute, thereby pre venting the insertion therein of a message sheet. The position of the blocking slide I1 is controlled by an electromagnet or solenoid l8, the armature of which is connected to the slide. When the solenoid I8 is deenergized, a compression spring I! mounted upon the armature forces the slide "into its closed position; but, upon energization of the solenoid, the armature is drawn against the action of the spring I! thereby moving the slide I! from its blocking position.

A message sheet may then be inserted in the chute l5 by which it is conveyed by gravity action to a point'where it is gripped between the roller l3 and the copyholder II which is continuously rotated. The message sheet 20 is pierced by the teeth l2 and is drawn downward from the chute plane of a light chopper 24 which may be in the form of a perforated disc or, as illustrated, a disc having notches such as 25 formed in the periphery thereof. The disc ismounted upon a shaft which is rotated at a suitable speed'by means of a small motor (not shown), whereby the light reflected from the message sheet 20 is alternately transmitted and interrupted at a rate dependent upon the speed of rotation of the light chopper disc 24 and the number of openings provided therein. The light which is transmitted through the chopper disc 24 impinges upon a photocell 26 and thereby generates alternating current signals which are modulated in amplitude in accordance with the tone values of the picture elements.

All of the optical scanning mechanism is mounted in a carriage 21 which is suitably arranged for sliding movement in a direction parallel tothe axis of rotation of the copyholder ll upon a rail system such as 28 or in any other suitable manner. The carriage is normally urged toward the left hand end of the machine by means f a spring 29. When a scanning movement of the carriage 21 is desired, a half-nut 3| is moved into engagement with a continuously rotating feed screw 32 by means of an electromagnet 33. The feed screw 32 and the copyholder ll may be rotated at their respective rates by means of a single driving motor coupled thereto by means of appropriate reduction gearing.

contact 39 is opened for a purpose which will be more fully described later.

The transmitting apparatus is also provided with a mechanism for removing the message sheet 20 from the copyholder II. The message sheet is shorter than the circumference of the copyholder l I by an amount sufficient to leave a small gap between the edges thereof when it is wrapped around the copyholder. A pivoted member 4| is provided with a sharp end and is so located that when it is pivoted under the influence of an electromagnet 42, the sharp end is placed in position to slip under the leading edge of the message sheet as it is rotated, thereby progressively pulling the sheet away from the drum and disengaging the perforated section from the teeth l2. The message sheet thus detached from the copyholder I I is permitted to drop into a bin or other convenient compartment.

Recorder The recording apparatus installed at the central ofiice is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2. and in detail in the copending application, Serial No. 110,760. The machine comprises a copyholder 43 which is cylindrical in form and is provided 'with two axially extending arbors 44 and 45 and is supported for rotation between centering spindles 46 and 41, respectiyely, which are arranged to cooperate with the copyholder arbors. An arm 48 is pivoted on the spindle 46 and extends in the direction of the copyholder to engage a pin 49 projecting radially from the spindle and also a pin 5| which extends radially from the arbor 44. The arm 48 is urged into engagement with the pins by means of a spring 52, on end of which is attached to the arm and the other end of which is attached to the spindle 46. This linkage serves to revolve the copyholder 43 when the spindle 46 is rotated. The rotation of the spindle is effected by means of a driving motor 53 acting through suitable reduction gearing 54. Also included in the driving mechanism is a friction clutch 55 which permits the arresting of the shaft. 46. A disc 56 having 'a notch formed in the periphery thereof is secured to the centering shaft 46. An arm or latch 51 is arranged to engage the peripheral notch of the disc 56 when acted upon solely by the retractile spring 58. An electromagnet 59 which is termed herein the framing magnet is provided so that, upon energization, the latch 51 is lifted and becomes disengaged from the disc 56 and thereby permits rotation of the shaft 46.

A sheet of recording material 6| is wrapped around the copyholder 43 and is secured thereto by means of a plurality of circular elastic members such as 62. The sheet 6| is mounted uponv the copyholder so that the lap 63 formed therein invariably bears a definite relation to the notch formed in the disc 56. Such an arrangement is for the purpose of securing the proper phasing or framing between the recorder and the branch oilice transmitter and will be described in greater detail in a subsequent portion of the specification.

A carriage 64 is arranged to be slidably moved on a pair of rails 65 disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the copyholder 43. An electromagnet-66 is mounted on the carriage and when energized serves to pivot a lever 61 into the retracted position shown in the drawings. A recording stylus 68 is attached to one extremity of the lever 61 and, as illustrated, is held out of engagement with the sheet of recording material 6| during idle periods. A half-nut 69 is also attached to the lever 61 and is adapted to engage a threaded feed screw H which is rotated at a suitable speed by the driving motor 53 acting through its associated reduction gearing 54.

When the electromagnet 66 is deenergized, the

lever 61 is moved by means of a spring 12 in such a manner that the half-nut 69 engages the feed screw H and the stylus 68 is brought into contact with the surface of the recording sheet 6|. The engagement of the half-nut with the feed screw'results in the movement of the carriage 64 toward the right, as viewed in this figure, against the restraining action of a retractile spring 13. Obviously, at the end of the scanning operation, when the lever 61 is pivoted to disengage the half-nut from the feed screw, the carriage is returned by means of the retractile spring to the extreme left hand position shown.

The recording machine illustrated is provided. with facilities for automatically discharging a copyholder after a recording operation and for feeding a fresh copyholder into the machine. The machine is normally provided with a copious supply of fresh copyholders, one of which 14 is shown fragmentarily. A rack or magazine is used to store the copyholders and comprises tworail members 15 and 16 mounted on a pair of supporting brackets 11 and 18 respectively and spaced apart slightly more than the length of the copyholder 43. A pair of resilient upright members 19 and 8| are secured to the rail members l5 and16 respectively and cooperate with an auxiliary pair of spaced rails 82 and 83 respectively to guide the stored copyholders toward the scanning device. The copyholder l4 awaiting positioning in the facsimile recorder is held in readiness by having its arbors such as 84 supported by the upper end of a pair of detents one of which 85 is shown. Each of the detents is pivoted adjacent its lower end on the respective rail members and is normally held in this cylinder restraining position by means of a pair of resilient members such as the spring 86 attached thereto and also to th rail member 15.

Upon completion of a scanning operation a copyholder changing motor 81 is started and drivesa worm gear 88 which in turn drives a cooperating pinion gear 89. The pinion gear is keyed to a shaft 91 upon which is also secured a pair of cams 92 and 93. A bell cam 94 is pivoted on any convenient stationary member such as the bracket 95 and is provided with a forked portion 96 adjacent the extremity of one arm thereof and also with a rod or cam follower 91 adjacent the extremity of the other arm. Rotation of the shaft 9| brings the raised portion of the cam 92 into engagement with the rod 91 thereby pivoting the bell crank 94 and bringing the bifurcated portion 96 into engagement with a pair of pins 98 attached to the centering shaft 41. Further movement of the bell crank caused by the continued rotation of the cam 92 moves the shaft 41 toward the left as viewed in the drawings against the action of a spring 99, one\ end of which is attached to a pin IOI extending from 4- aasaa'ra the shaft and the other end of which is secured to a stationary bracket I02.

The withdrawal of the centering shaft, 41 as described permits the copyholder 40 to drop so which is suitably journaled in bearings mounted in any convenient fixed brackets. Also secured to the rocker shaft I05 is an arm I05 carrying at its outer extremity a cam follower in the form of a roller I01. This roller is adapted to cooperate with the cam 93 so that when the shaft SI is rotated by means of the mechanism driven by the motor 01, the engagement of the roller I01 with the raised portion of the cam results in a clockwise movement of the arm I00 as viewed from the left hand end of the facsimile machine thereby imparting a rocking movement to the spaced members I03 and I04.

As the rocker shaft I05 is rotated as described, the cradle members I03 and I04 are moved forward until a position is reached whereby the drum or copyholder 43 is permitted to roll from the recesses formed in these members into any suitable receptacle or conveyor. A continuation of the rockingmovement brings the upwardly extending arms I08 and I09 respectively of the cradle members I 03 and I04 into engagement with the respective detents such as 85. These detents are thus moved out of the downward path of the arbors such as of the copyholder 14 thereby permitting this copyholder to drop so that the arbors thereof rest upon the upper edges of the arms I08 and I09. When, by continued rotation of the cam 93, the rocker shaft I05 is permitted to return the cradle members I03 and I04 to'theiruprigh't positions under the influence of the spring III attached to one of the members and to any convenient stationary member, the upper edges of the arms I00 and I09 are withdrawn from under the arbors of the copyholder 14, thereby allo-"' ng these arbors to roll into the recesses forried in the eradle members. The new copyholder 14 is thus carried into a position such that, when the eradle members have been fully restored to their upright positions, the indentations formed in th ends of the arbors may be engaged by the conical centering points formed on the shafts 45 and 41. Prior to this engagementthe axis .of the copyholder which rests in the recesses of the cradle members lies slightly below the center of rotation provided by the centering shafts. However, because of the conical configuration of the ends of these shafts the subsequent movement of the rod 41 toward the copyholder is instrumental in lifting the copyholder slightlng so that it may rotate freely.

The initiation of the copyholder changing cy-' cle just described is effected by applying power to the motor 01 subsequent to a scanning operation, or at any other desired time, by means which will be described more fully in the operation portion of the specification. A cam H2 is mounted on the cam shaft 9| for cooperation with the movable member of a contact H3. The cam H2 is oriented with respect to the cams 02 and 03 so that, at the completion of a copyholder changing cycle, the contact II2 is opened momentarily. It will be seen from the operation portion of the specification that the momentary opening of this contact causes the power to be disconnected from the motor 81. However, the mechanism is so designed that before the motor can be brought to a stop by means of a braking system, the cam II2 becomes disengaged from the contact'member thereby permitting the reclosure of the contact II3.

Connecting circuit The circuit interconnecting the transmitter of Fig. 1 and the recorder of Fig. 2 comprises a pair of conductors LI and L2 which are used simultaneously for the transmission of the alternating current facsimile signals and the direct current control signals by means of which the operation of the transmitting and recording apparatus is controlled. The facsimile signals originateat the photoelectric cell which both of'the extreme contacts inresponse'to a and L2.

is connected to an amplifier I'I4, the output cirout of which isconnected through a pair of blocking condensers II5 to the conductors LI The purpose of the condensers H5 is to isolate the alternating current facsimile signals from the direct current control signals. At the recording station of Fig. 2 the line conductors LI and L2 are connected through another pair of blocking condensers H0 and through an adjustable pad II1 to an amplifier IIO.' The output of this amplifier is connected to a signal inverter IIO, the output circuit of which is arranged to be connected between ground and the recording stylus 50. The polarity-of the direct current potentials which are applied to the conductor LI is controlled by the apparatus of the recording station for the purpose. of operating a polar relay I2I connected to this conductor at the transmitting station. Similarly. the polarity of the direct current potentials which are ap-- plied to the conductor L2 is controlled by the apparatus of the transmitting station for the purpose of operating a polar relay I22 connected to this conductor at the recording station. Both of these polar relays are of the three-position type whereby the armatures thereof are moved to one extreme contact in response to one polarity of potential, to the other extreme contact in response to the opposite polarity of potential, and to a mid-position disengaged from no-current condition.

' Operation The operation of the facsimile apparatus described will be described inconiunction with Figs. 1 and 2 taken together. Prior to the start of a series of operations it is assumed that power is supplied to the transmitting apparatus by the movement of a switch I22 to its left hand contacts thereby connecting a source of alternating current potential I24 to bus bars A and B.

The driving motor I25 for the copyholder II and the feed screw 02 and the motor I26 for the lightehopper disc 24 are thus energizedto rotate the equipment coupled thereto. Also, the exciter lamp 2I is illuminated, thereby providing for the generation of alternating current in conjunction with the photocell 20 and the light chopper 24 by reflection from the surface of the copyholder II. Similarly, power, suitably rectified where necessary, is applied to the ampliher I I 4 in any conventional manner (not shown).

At the recording station power is also supplied principally from a source of direct current potential I21 which in this case is of positive polarity. Negative direct current potential is also supplied as specified hereinafter. The positive potential is connected to energize a pair 01 bus bars I28 and I29 to which most of the control apparatus is connected. The driving motor 53 is supplied with alternating current energy which is synchronous with the transmitter alternating current power supply. The facsimile alternating current which is generated at the transmitter is received at the recording station but is prevented from reaching the stylus 68 during idle periods because of the open contact I3I of a relay I32. At least a part of the plate current for the amplifier H8 is supplied from the source I21 through the winding of a relay I33 and an indicating instrument I or equivalent visual indicator. The signals which are generated under the described idle conditions are of maximum amplitude whereby the amplifier draws a current sufllcient to energize the relay I33 to close its front contact I34, and the instrument I indicates to an attendant that the transmitter is running and ready for operaion. The relay I35 is at this time deenergized thereby applying a ground through its break contact I36 to energize the left hand winding of relay I31. This relay is locked through its own make contact I38, its right hand winding and the make contact I34 of relay I33. The closure of the make contact I38 of relay I31 energizes a relay I39 to connect ground through its make contact I to energize a relay I42. A ground connected through the make contact I43 of this relay energizes the electromagnet 66 to move the halfnut 69 and the stylus 68 into their disengaged positions.

It is assumed that the recording apparatus is not provided with a copyholder in operative position for recording. The spindle 41 is thus permitted to move farther to the right thanit normally would to engage the arbor of a copyholder and in doing so efiects the engagement of a pin I44 carried thereby with a set of overthrow contacts I45 and I46. The closure of contact I46 connects anadditional ground to the operating winding of the relay I42 which merely supplements the ground applied by the make contact I4I of relay I39. The opening of the overthrow contact I45 disconnects a negative source of potential I41 from the break contact I48 of relay I49, thereby preventing the connection of the negative battery I41 to the line conductor LI. Since the relay I49 is deenergized at this time, the conductor LI is not connected to any other source of potential. Consequently'at the transmitting station the polar relay I2I is maintained in its neutral or mid-position.

At the transmitting station the line conductor L2 is not connected to either polarity of direct current potential, so that the polar relay I22 at the recording station is in its neutral position.

In order to place the facsimile apparatus in condition for operation, the attendant at the recording station places a number of copyholders equipped with blank record sheets in the magazine of the recorder. The first of such a series of copyholders is inserted in the recorder by momentarily operating a push button II which closes a contact I52 to place a ground on one terminal of the left hand winding of a relay I53. The other terminal of this winding is connected through the closed recorder cam contact II3 to the positive bus bar I28. The relay I53 is thus operated to energize through its make contact I54 a relay I55. The relay I 53 is also looked through its make contact so that the push button I! may be released. The operation of relay I55 connects an additional ground to the winding of relay I42 through its make contact I66. The other make contact I51 of this relay completes a circuit to energize the copyholder changing motor 81. This motor drives the previously described mechanism through a cycle or operations resulting in the placing of a copyholder in operative recording position in the machine. At the completion of this cycle, the cam contact H3 is momentarily opened, thereby interrupting the locking circuit of the relay I53, permitting this relay to be released and thereby releasing the relay I55. Thus, power is disconnected from the copyholder changing motor 81 and one of the grounds removed from the winding of relay I42.

With a copyholder in position in the recorder the spindle 41 is withdrawn sufficiently to permit the opening of the overthrow contact I46, thereby removing another ground from the winding of relay I42. At this stage the latter relay is maintained in an operative condition under the sole control 01 the make contact MI 01 relay I39. The closure of the other overthrow contact I45 connects negative battery through the break contact I48 01 relay I49 to the line conductor LI.

The negative potential of conductor LI oper-' ates the polar relay I2I at the transmitting station to eflect the engagement of its armature with its spacing contact S. A connection is then established from the bus bar A through the spacing contact S of the relay I2I, through the windin of relay I58, over conductors I59 and I6I, through the closed drum contact 39 to the bus bar B. Relay I58 is thus energized to open a break contact I62, whereby the alternating current connection of the rectifier I63 to the bus bar A is interrupted. Also, by the-opening of break contact I64 of relay I58, the negative terminal vof the rectifier is disconnected from the transmitting station apparatus. Connected in shunt with the winding of relay I58 is a lamp I65 which becomes illuminated, indicating to the attendant at the branch ofllce that the system is idle and ready for use.

The message to be transmitted is inscribed on a blank sheet provided for the purpose and may be inspected by the attendant to determine the length thereof. Facilities are provided for controlling the transmitting apparatus in such a manner that the scanning operation is continued only as long as is necessary to completely scan the subject matter. Assume that the message to be inserted in the transmitting machine is a relatively short one. The patron or attendant at the branch office will then depress a lever I66 which is accessible from the outside of the machine. A holding magnet I61 becomes energized by reason of a circuit which is established from the bus bar A through a locking contact I68 controlled by the lever I66 and through a break contact I69 of a relay I1I to the bus bar B. At the same time, a selector contact I12 i also closed.

The attendant at the branch oflice then opertes a push button I13 to close a contact I14 to energize a relay I15 through a circuit which may be traced from the bus bar A through the spacing contact S of the polar relay I2I, the winding at the relay I15, the contact I14 and thence by way of conductors I59 and I6I through the closed drum contact 39 to the bus bar B. This relay immediatelylocks through a make 6 asaaara contact I18 so that the push button I13 may the electromalnet 48, thereby permitting the enbe released. The closure of a make contact I11 easement of the half nut 99 with the feed screw of this relay completes a circuit from the bus H and the engagement of the stylus 89 with bar A over conductor I18, through the winding the recording sheet II. The closure of the breakof the solenoid I8 andthe contact I11 to the contact I88 of relay, I39 energize the framing bus bar B through the closed drum contact 39. magnet 59 to withdraw the latch 51 and per- Connected in shunt with the solenoid I8 is a mit rotation of the copyholder 43. Also, the clolamp I19 which is lighted to illuminate a sign sure of the break contact I89 of relay I42 enerreading Deposit message!- Simultaneously theregizes the relay I32 to close its make contact I3l.

with the energization of the solenoid I8 with- 10 thereby connecting the stylus 58 with the sig al draws the slide I1, thereby opening the chute I5. invertor II9 whereby the facsimile signals, prop- The sheet containingthe message is then inerly amplifi d and inverted, are applied by means serted in the chute, by means of which it is carof the stylus to the recording sheet 5|. ried to the scanning apparatus, where it is en- At the transmitting station following the scan gaged and placed in position for scanning as prening of the last portion of the subject matter to 1 1 described, The wrapping of t message be transmitted, the carriage 21 will have moved bearing sheet 29 upon the copyholder II disentoward the right, as Viewed in the fifl gages the arm 35 from the groove 34. thereby fl y to engage the roller I9I of a pivoted opening of the drum contact 39. This operation member I92, thereby actuating this member to results in the release of relays I58 and I15 and close a contact I93. A connection is then esthe extinguishing of lamp I55. The opening of tablished from the bus bar A through the contact contact I11 of relay I15 extinguishes the De- I93, the selector contact I12, through the winding posit message lamp I19 and deenergizes th of relay HI and the contact I8I of relay I58 solenoid I8, thereby closing the chute I5. The o the bus bar B. thereby operating relay I1I. closure of break contact I52 of relay I58 com- The openin of t e break on act 59 of th s repletes the connection of the alternating current y interrupts One Of the locking connections 0! potential to the rectifier I53. Th release of rethe holding m gnet I51,'but since the contact lay I58 alsocloses a break contact I8I which I85 controlled by the half nut magnet is still completes a circuit extending from the bus bar closed, the holding magnet remains energized. A through the spacing contact S 01' the polar The opening of break contact I85 and the closrelay I2I over conductor I82, through the winding of the make contact I94 ofrelay I1I disconing of the half nut magnet 33 and the contact nects the negative direct current potential from I8I to the bus bar B. Connected in shunt with the line conductor L2 and substitutes therefor a the half nut magnet is'a lamp I83 which illu ipositive potential derived from the rectifier I83. nates a sign bearing th legend Message being At the recording station the disconnection of transmitted The energization of the hair nut n a ive po en ial from the line conductor L2 magnet moves the half nut 3| into engagement disengages the armature ofthe polar r y In with the feed screw 32, thereby initiating a scanfrom its spacing contact S, thereby releasing rehing movement of the carriage. The half nut lav H5 e r lea e of t e y operates. magnet 33 also controls a pair of make contacts 40 through its break contact I35, the relay I31. I84 and I85, the latter of which provides an adw t r u ts mak ntact 38. ener izes H ditional connection of the locking magnet I51 e relay I39. The openin 0 t e break conto the bus bar B. The closur of the contact tact I88 and the closing of the make contact I I54 of relay I58 and the auxiliary contact I84 of this relay deenergizes, the framing magnet 59, cont on d b th half n t magnet, tablish 4- thereby arresting rotation of the copyholder 43 a connection from the negative terminal of the and energizes the relay I42. The opening of the rectifier I53 through these two contacts and the break contact I89 and the closure of the make breakcontact I85 of relay I1I to the line conduccontact I43 of this relay deenergizes relay I32, tor L2. thereby opening the facsimile signal circuit to The connection of negative potential to .the the stylus 58 at the contact I3I and energizes the condu t r L2 erat t ar at of t polar electromagnet which pivots the lever 51 to disrelay I22 at the recording station to its spacing engage the half nut 59 from the feed screw 1I contact S, thereby applying a ground to energize and the stylus 58 from the recording sheet 5I. the relay I35. The operation of this relay inter- The retractile spring 13 then becomes effective rupts the circuit through the left hand winding 5 to return the carriage 54 to its extreme left hand of relay I31 at the contact I35. However, this p ionrelay is maintained operative by means of its Also, at the recording station the connection of right hand winding which is energized at this positive potential to the conductor L2 operates time. As soon as the scanning operation at the the m ture of the polar relay I22 into enga transmitter has progressed to a point where a (so e t w t its ma o tact M, thereby apblack spot I81 which appears on the sheet 28 p y n a u d to o e terminal of the left hand is scanned, a facsimile signal having the mininding of relay I49. The other terminal of mum amplitude is generated and transmitted to this winding is connected to the positive bus the recording station. This event usually occurs bar I29 so that the relay is operated. The closupon the completion of the first revolution of ing of the make contact I95 of this relay comthe copyholder II following the positioning therepletes a circuit from ground through a break on of the message bearing sheet. The response contact I96 of relay I91 to energize a lamp I99 by the amplifier II8 to such a signal reduces the which gives an indication to the attendant that plate current sufliciently to permit the release of a message has been received. The relay I49 relay I33, thereby opening the make contact I34 looked through its right hand winding the make and completely deenergizing relay I31 and effect contact I95 and a pushbutton contact I99. The

ing its release. The opening of contact I38 of contact I95 also applies a ground to complete this relay deenergizes relay I39 which, through a circuit through the right hand winding of relay the opening of its make contact I4I, deenergizes I53. Connected in series in this circuit is a conrelay I42. The release of this relay deenergizes denser 209 which is shunted by a high resistance 2M. The capacity of the condenser is sufficient so that the charging current therefor momentarily energizes the right hand winding of relay I53. The value of the shunting resistance 20I is sufiiciently high so that, after the condenser becomes charged, the steady state current flowing through the resistor is insuflicient to maintain the relay I53 operated. However, this relay is provided with a locking circuit through its left hand winding which extends from ground through its make contact I54 and includes the cam contact II3. The closure of contact I54 energizes the relay I55 which, by the closure of its contact I51, energizes the copyholder changing motor 81 to initiate a copyholder changing cycle. The closure of contact I56 of this relay also provides a ground to insure the continued operation of relay I42 until after the copyholder changing cycle has been completed.

When the relay I49 is operated in response to the engagement of the armature of the polar relay I22 with its marking contact M, the line conductor. LI is disconnected from the negative battery I41 by the opening of the break contact I48 of relay I49. It is then connected by the make contact 202 of this relay to a contact 203 of relay 204 which is open at this time because the relay is not energized.

Therefore, the direct current potential is removed from the line conductor LI which produces at the transmitting station a response by the polar relay I2I whereby the armature of this relay is disconnected from its spacing contact S. This operation results in the deenergization of the half nut magnet 33 and the extinguishing of the lamp I83. The half nut 3| is thus disengaged from the feed screw 32, permitting the carriage 21 to be restored by the spring 29 to its extreme left hand position. The auxiliary contacts I84 I and I85 controlled by the half nut magnet are also opened. The opening of contact I84 disconnects the negative terminal of the rectifier I63 from the break contact I86 of the relay Ill. The opening of the contact I85 opens the locking circuit of the holding magnet I61, permitting the release of the lever I66 so that it is restored to its upper position, thereby opening the locking contact I68 and the selector contact I12.

The attendant at the recording station upon being notified by the lamp I98 that a message has been received, inspects the recording which has been produced upon the sheet mounted on the copyholder which is discharged from the recorder as described. Assume that the record which has been made is found to be unsatisfactory. The attendant may make suitable adjustments, such as by manipulation of the pad II1 whereby a better record may be obtained. Following this operation, the push button 205 is operated, thereby opening the contact I99. The locking circuit of the relay I49 is thus interrupted, permitting this relay to be released. The closure of the break contact I48 of this relay reconnects the negative battery I41 to the line conductor LI The response at the transmitting station to the negative potential connected to conductor LI is the engagement of the armature of the polar relay I2I with its spacing contact S. The previtransmitted light may depress the lever I66 in order to select the short message contact I93 for the timing or the end-of-message signal; as-

before the holding magnet I61 would be energized and locked. However, it may be that the starting of the retransmission of the message is not noticed at the transmitting station so that the lever I66 is left in its upper position. In this case, the end-of-rnessage signal will not be generated at the time that the contact I93 is closed, but scanning will continue until the carriage 21 operates a second contact 206. This is the socalled long message contact and connects the bus bar A to one terminal of the winding of relay I1I to complete the previously described circuit for the operation of this relay. Thus, again the polarity of the potential which is applied to the conductor L2 is reversed from negative to positive.

The reversal of potential on the conductor L2 produces the same response by the recording sta' tion apparatus as in the first case. Also, the signal is transmitted from the recording station to the transmitting station to restore the apparatus there to its normal position as described. The attendant at the recording station, finding upon inspection of the record produced upon the second copyholder discharged from the apparatus that it is satisfactory, operates a push button 2IZI1 which momentarily closes a circuit from the bus bar I29 through the winding of relay 204, the push button contact 208, the closed contact I95 of relay I49 and the break contact I96 of relay I91 to ground. Relay 204 thus becomes operated and is looked through a make contact 209 to the ground controlled by relay I91. The opening of break contact 2I I of relay 204 removes the negative potential of a battery 2I2 from the control grid of a vacuum tube 2I3. Connected between the grid and the cathode of this tube is a condenser 2I4 which is shunted by a high resistance 2I5. As long as the negative potential of the battery 2I2 is connected to the grid of thetube 2I3, the condenser 2I4 remains fully charged to the potential of the battery 2I2, and the space discharge path of the tube is substantially open. As soon as the negative potential is removed, however, the charge upon the condenser 2I4 starts to dissipate through the leak resistance 2I5. The circuit constants are chosen so that, after the lapse of approximatelythree seconds fromthe opening of contact 2 of relay 204, the negative potential between the grid and the oathode of the tube 2 I3 is decreased to a. value whereby the conductivity of the tube is increased sufliciently to energize the relay I91, through the winding of which plate current for the tube is drawn from the positive bus bar I29.

Before considering the results produced by the operation of relay I91, the control of the transmitting apparatus which is effected by the operation of relay 204 will be described. The closure of the make contact 203 of this relay connects the positive potential of the bus bar I29 through the make contact 202 of relay I49 to the line conductor LI. This produces a response by the polar relay I2I at the transmitting station whereby the armature is moved into engagement with its marking contact M. A circuit is thus established from the bus bar A through the marking contact of relay I2I and through the winding of the electromagnet 42 to the bus bar 28. The energization of this electromagnet operates the arm M to strip the message bearing sheet 20 from the drum II as described. Also, the closure of the make contact M of the polar relay I2I energizes a lamp 2I6 which illuminates a sign bearing the legend "Message accepted."

Thus, it is apparent that there is a delay of approximately three seconds produced .by the electronic timer from the time that the control signal is sent from the recording station to the- I91 opens its break contact I96, thereby open- 7 ing the locking circuit through the right hand winding of relay I49 to permit the release of this relay, opening the locking circuit of relay 294 to permit the release of that relay and extinguishing the Message received" lamp I98. The release of relay 204 recloses the break contact 2, thereby reconnecting the negative potential ofthe battery 2I2 to the grid of the vacuum tube '2I3 whereby the conductivity of the spacedischarge path is reduced to deenergize the winding of relay I91. Thus, the recording apparatus is restored to normal and, so long as there is-a copyholder. inoperative position inthe recording apparatus, the negative potential I41 is connected to the line conductor LI which maintains the transmitting apparatus in condition to be operated to transmit another message.

In the operation of the system described up to this point, certain manual operations are performed by the attendants at the respective stations. However,-it is contemplated that the transmitting station apparatus and/or the recording station apparatus may be substantially completely automatic in operation. For this purpose the transmitting apparatus is provided with a switch 2I1 which is operated to its right hand contact for automatic operation. This merely shunts the push button contact I14 permanently so that whenever thepolar relay I2I is operated to its spacing, contact S and there is no message bearing sheet secured upon the copyholder II so that .the drum contact 39 is closed, the relays I58 and I15 will be operated. This leaves the chute I open for the insertion of a message bearing,sheet and the Idle lamp I65 and the Deposit message lamp I19 are both illuminated. The insertion of a message bearing sheet into the chute I5 initiates the same cycle of operation as that described.

Similarly, at the recording station the push button 201 may be of the locking type or the contacts 209 controlied thereby may be shunted by an additional switch 2I8. The positioning of this switch on its right hand contact provides for the immediateoperation of relay 204 whenever the relay 149 is operated. Thus, at the recording station, it is only necessary to maintain a copious supply of copyholders and to remove those discharged from the recorder.

At the transmitting station the apparatus enclosed within the rectangle 2I9 may be'mounted at the front or rear of the transmitting machine or, if desired, may be located at a remote point and connected by means of a suitable cable to the transmitting apparatus. Such an arrangement provides a somewhat flexible means for controlling the operation of the transmitting clevice to suit any desired need.

trolled by meansof aplurallty of push buttons such as 22I, 223 and 224. Each of the push buttons such as22l is attached to one end of a slideable bar 225 upon which is formed a cam surface 226. The push buttons such as 22I are arranged to slide through suitable slots formed in a plate 221. A compression spring 228 which is restrained between the head of the push button and the front surface of the plate 221 serves to urge the bar 225 toward the left. Disposed at the rear of the plate 221 is a retaining bar 229 which is provided with a series of slots cooperating with the push button bars 225. One end vof the retaining bar is attached to the armature 23I of an electromagnet 232, and the other end has secured thereto a spring 233. Each of the push button bars such as 225 is provided with a pin 234 which, upon operation of the push button is adapted to engage an operating bar 235. Also, each of the push button bars is adapted to engage a contact individual to each of the bars upon being actuated. The contact 238, for example, is closed when the push button 22I is actuated. The movement of the push button bars, under pressure applied to the corresponding push button, by means of the camming surface formed thereon moves the retaining bar 229 toward the electromagnet 232 against the spring 233. After thepush button bar has been depressed sufficiently, the cam surface becomes disengaged from the retaining bar, permitting the restoration thereof. The push button is thus held in its operated position by the engagement of the shoulder portion of the cam with the retaining bar 229. A push button thus operated is maintained in this position until either a second push button Is operated to cam the retaining bar 229 so as to release the first operated push button bar or until the electromagnet 232 is energized to move the retaining bar 229 to its unlocking position.

Each one of the individually selected contacts such as 236 is connected to a conducting segment such as 231. The series of segments is mounted in a position whereby they may be engaged by a contacting brush 238 attached to the movable carriage 21a in which the scanning apparatus is located. The contact selected by the operation of the push button MI is connected to a segment which will be the first one engaged by the contactor 233, as the carriage is moved during a scanning operation and also the other selector contacts are connected to segments which will be engaged at latter stages of the scanning operation. The movement of. the bar 235 upon the operation of any of the push buttons may be The set of push buttons employed to control.

the apparatus described may be located at any convenient place on the transmitting machine where they may be manipulated by an attendant to selectively control the length of the scanning period in accordance with the length of the message to be transmitted. In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a message blank 24I which may be used in conjunction with such a mechanism. The space within the rectangle 242 which is available for the inscription oi a message is marked ofi by means of a plurality of lines 243 into a number of zones. The lines 243 may be lightly imprinted upon the blank in red or other suitable color whereby no appreciable response is produced by the scanning mechanism when the necessary to scan these two zones.

light spot impinges upon the lines. Inthis manner the copy which is reproduced at the recording station will not contain the guide lines. Each of the zones marked ofl bythe guide lines 242 is numbered, and there may be provided for each one of the zones a push button similarly numbered. The attendant, upon inspecting the message which is inscribed upon the blank 24! for transmission, will note, for example, that the complete message is contained wholly within the zones numbered 1 and 2. Consequently, in order to completely record the message, it is only The numher 2 push button 223 is, therefore, operated to close its selector contact 2'44. When the carriage 210. is moved to the point where the contactor 238 engages the segment 245, a circuit is closed from ground through the contactor and the engaged segment through the closed contact 244 and the winding of a relay 246 to battery 241. A circuit is closed at the make contact 248 of this relay to operate a relay Illa which corresponds to the like-numbered relay of Fig. 1. Through its contacts-it reverses the polarity of battery applied to the line conductor LI to control the recording apparatus in the manner described. The closure of contact 248 of the relay 246 also completes a circuit to energize the electromagnet 232 whereby the retaining bar 229 is operated to release the depressed push button. If no push buttons are operated, the carriage 21a is moved to completely scan the message bearing sheet,

after which a segment 249 is engaged by the contactor 238 to operate the relay 246 directly.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary illustration of another mechanism for timing the generation of an endof-message signal. In this case, the conveying chute 250 is provided with a window 25| so that when a message bearing sheet is inserted into the chute while it is shut off from the scanning mechanism by the blocking member 252, the subject matter inscribed upon the message blank is visible for inspection from the outside of the machine. An indicator 253 which extends upward on the outside of the chute adjacent the window is secured to an operating arm 254. The arm is angularly formed at one end thereof and supports a knob 255 which is accessible from the outside of the machine. A portion of the arm 254 is also provided with a series of notches or teeth 256. Cooperating with the teeth 256 is a pivoted latch 25'! which is normally urged by a spring 258 into engagement with the teeth. The latch is also controlled by an electromagnet 259 which when energized pivots the latch to disengage it from the teeth. The arm 254 is urged by means of a spring 26l toward the right, as viewed in this figure, so that when the latch 251 is disengaged from the teeth 256 the arm and the pointer 253 carried thereby are moved to their extreme right hand positions. The arm 254 also carries a contact 262, the pivoted member of which is equipped with a roller 263, and is in a position to be engaged by a portion of the movable carriage 2112. I

In the operation of this mechanism, the message bearing sheet 265 is deposited in the chute 250. The knob 255 is then moved to the left until the indicator 253 lies just to the right of the subject matter inscribed upon the sheet. The mechanism is left in this position where it is held by means of the latch 25'! in cooperation with meet the teeth 256, and the attendant operates the control push button previously described to energize the electromagnet 266 to move the blocking member 252 aside and allow the message bearing sheet to be carried tothe scanning apparatus. When the scanning operation has been completed the carriage 21b will have been moved to a point where the contact 262 is closed. A circuit is then closed from the A terminal of a source of alternating current through the winding of a relay "lb and through the closed contact 262 to the B terminal. The relay I'Hb is similar to the correspondingly numbered relay of Fig. 1 and operates to reverse the polarity of the potential applied to the line conductor L2. When the end-of-message signal thus transmitted to the recording station has been received, and the apparatus at that station has responded thereto in the manner described. positive potential is applied to the line conductor LI to operate the armature of polar relay l2la to its marking contact, thereby closing a circuit from the source of alternating current to energize'the electromagnet 259, thereby pivoting the latch and disengaging it from the teeth 256. The arm 254 and the mechanism connected thereto is restored to its extreme right hand position.

The nature of the invention may be ascertained from the foregoing description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, the scope thereof 1. In a facsimile system, a transmitting device,

conveying means for delivering a message bearsaid sheet, a recording device for translating said signals, and means responsive to an operative condition of said recording device for controlling said conveying means in a maner to deliver a message bearing sheet to said transmitting de- VlCe.

2. In a facsimile system, a transmitting device having a scanner, means for automatically presenting a message bearing sheet to said scanner, a chute to convey said sheet to said presenting means, a closure for said chute, a recorder, a signaling circuit interconnecting said transmitter and said recorder, a relay connected to said circuit responsive to an operative condition of said recorder. and means including said relay and circuits controlled thereby to withdraw said closure from said chute.

3. In a facsimile system, a transmitting device having a scanning mechanism, conveying means including a chute for'delivering a message bearing sheet to said transmitting device, a recording device having a rotating drum carrying a record sheet, means for automatically removing said drum from the recording device, and means responsive to a condition whereby the recording device is not equipped with a drum in operative position for recording to disable said conveying means whereby the transmitting device is prevented from receiving a message bearing sheet.

4. In a facsimile system, a transmitting device, conveying means operable for delivering a. message bearing sheet to said transmitting device, means in said transmitting device for receiving said sheet and automatically transmittingsignals representative oi. the message on the sheet, a recording device for translating said signals to reproduce the message on a record sheet, means responsive to a condition of said recording device to control the operation of said conveying means and means actuated by the reception of the message bearing sheet by the transmitting device to prepare the recording device for scanning operation. 7

5. The combination defined in claim 4 further characterized by means at the transmitting device for subsequently generating a signal to initiate operation of the recording device.

8. In a facsimile system, atransmitter having a scanner, conveying means operable for delivering a message bearing sheet to said scanner, a

recorder having a cylindricalv drum carrying a record sheet, means for detecting the end of a scanning operation at the transmitter, means re sponsive to said detecting means for removing a.

drum carrying a recording-from said recorder and placing another drum bearing a blank record sheet in said recorder, and means responsive to the completion of said drum changing operation at the recorder ior operatively conditioning said conveying means for communication with said scanner.

r "I. In afacsimile system, a transmitting device having scanning mechanism and control apparatus. means for detecting the completion of a scanning operation by said scanning mechanism,

' a recorder having associated therewith control apparatus, means including said recorder control I apparatus responding to said detecting means for transmitting a signal to said transmitting apparatus, and means including said control apparatus for the transmitting device operated by said signal to restore said transmitting device to its normal idle condition.

8. In a facsimile transmitting device, scannnig apparatus including 'a movable member, means for presenting a message bearing sheet-to said scanning apparatus, a plurality of contacts .disposed to be individually operated by said movable member at diflerent stages of its movement, means controlled by either one of said contacts for generating an end-of-message signal, and means for selecting one of said contacts to control said generating means in accordance with the length of the message to be transmitted.

Y 9. In a facsimile transmitter, a message bearing sheet to be scanned, a scanning mechanism having a linearly movable member, a signaling device for generating an end-of-message signal,

a contact disposed to be actuated by said movable scanning member, means for conditioning said contact for operation after the completion of a scanning of said message, means including said operatively conditioned contact for operating said signaling device, and means controlled by said contact to render the contact inoperative after the operation of said signaling device.

10. In a facsimile transmitter, a message bearing sheet to be scanned. a, scanning mechanism having a linearly movable member, a signaling device for generating a signal, a plurality of contacts disposed to be individually actuated by said movable member at diflerent stages oi its movement, means for selecting one of said contacts to operate said signaling device at the completion of a scanning of said message, and means of the last to be engaged one of said contacts, a switch to connect said contacts in multiple whereby the signaling'device is operated by the actuation of the first to be engaged one of said contacts, and means controlled by said signaling device to disconnect said contacts from one another."

12. In a facsimilesysitem f a scanning mechanism havin'ga linearly movable member, a contactonsupported by said movable member, a se-' ,eri'es of conducting segments engageable by said contactor, means including a relay'for arresting said movable member during a scanning operation, a plurality of c'ontactsin'dividually operable and each associated with one of said segments, means for selectively operating one of said contacts in accordance with the length of themessage to be scanned, means including a selected contact and its associated segment to operate said relay, and means controlled by said'relay for restoring the selected'contact to normal.

13. In a facsimile transmitting device, a movable scanning member, an electrical contacting member mounted on said member for energizing in sequence a plurality of circuits, at contactincluded in each of said circuits, a push button operable for closing one of said contacts, means for locking said pushbutton in its operated position, an electro-responsive means commonly associated with said circuits. means including said operated contact and said contacting member for actuating said electro-responsive means at a predetermined point in the movement of said scanning member as determined by the operated push button, and means controlled by said electro-responsive means for unlocking the operated push button.

14. In a facsimile transmitter, scanning apparatus including a movable member, means for presen'ting a message bearing sheet to said scanning apparatus, a chute to convey said sheet to said presenting means, a closure for said chute, a transparent opening in said chute whereby a message bearing sheet disposed within said chute and held therein by said closure may be inspected,a

mechanism including an indexing member extending parallel to themessage carried by said sheet, an electrical contact also carried by said mechanism and disposed in the path of said movable scanning member, means for moving said mechanism to align said indexing member with the end of said message, means for latching said mechanism in the selected position, and means controlled by said contact when actuated by said movable scanning member to interrupt the scanning operation and to unlatch said index bearing mechanism whereby it may be restored to its normal position. i

15. In a facsimile system, a transmitting device having a scanner, conveying means for delivering a message bearing sheet to said transmitting device, means in said transmitting device for presenting said sheet to said scanner, a closure for said conveying means, means for maintaining said closure in a blocking position in said con- 1 veying means to prevent the conveying means from delivering another message bearing sheet to the transmitting device while the first sheetis in scanning position, means responsive to a completed scanning operation for removing said first sheet from scanning position, and means for removing said closure a predetermined time after the initiation of said removal operation.

16. In a facsimile system, a transmitter, a recorder, means in said transmitter for receiving a message bearing sheet and automatically transmitting signals representative of the message on the sheet to said recorder, means in said transmitter for discharging said sheet from said transmitter, means for generating a control signal following the transmission of said message representative signals, and means at said recorder responsive to said control signal to control the operation of said sheet discharging means.

17. In a facsimile system, a transmitter, means for supplying said transmitter with a succession of message bearing sheets, a recorder, means for supplying said recorder with a succession of record sheets, control signaling apparatus providing communication between said transmitter and said recorder, and means including said control signaling apparatus to govern the operation of said transmitter supplying means in accordance with events occurring at said recorder and to govern the operation of said recorder supplying means in accordance with events occurring at said transmitter.

18. In a facsimile system, a transmitter having a scanner, means in said transmitter operable to present a message bearing sheet to said scanner whereby facsimile signals representative of the message on said sheet may be transmitted, means in said transmitter for generating a control signal indicative of the completion of a scanning operation, means in said transmitter for removing said sheet from said scanner, a receiver having recording apparatus responsive to said facsimile signals, means in said receiver responsive to said control signal for removing a record sheet bearing a reproduction of a message from said recording apparatus and presenting a blank record sheet to said recording apparatus, means responsive to said receiver means to operate said transmitter sheet removing means, and means actuated at the completion of said transmitter sheet removing operation to operate said transmitter sheet presenting means.

GARVICE H. RIDINGS.

RALEIGH J. WISE. 

